Universal joint



Y 2 snets-snaet 1 UNIVERSAL JOINT H. FRAUENTHAL Er AL Filed Nov. e, 1937Sept. 26, 1939.

Sept- 25, 1939'- H, FRAUENTHAL E1' AL 2,174,223

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed Nov@ 6. 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 26,1939 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ica UNIVERSAL JOINT poration of IndianaApplication November 6, 1937, Serial No. 173,072

9 Claims.

This invention relates to universal joints and more particularly isdirected to a universal joint construction having incorporated thereinresilient non-metallic cushioning means through 6 which the torque istransmitted.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide auniversal joint containing a needle bearing assembly at each of the yokearms, and having resilient sleeves through `which torque is transmittedto the driven member from the driving member.

Another feature of the present invention is the lprovision of a metallicuniversal joint having a resilient drive whereby rattling and vibrationof gears or the like in a transmission connected thereto can beeffectively eliminated through the cushioning action of the resilientmember.

Still another advantage of the present invention resides in theprovision of a resilient drive in which the cushioning member isVsubjected to shearing stresses in the transmission of torque,

which preserves the life of the rubber and its resiliency.

In the present inventionwe preferably provide z5 needle bearingmountings of the cross member in the yoke arms, although other types ofbearings may be equally well employed. By use of bearings we appreciablyreduce friction in the joint. The bearing assemblies are so arranged asto be readily removable for inspection" and repair. In one form of theinvention we also provide rubber sleeves surrounding the outer bearingrace and vulcanized Within a thin external metal sleeve. 'Ihiseiectively prevents metal-to-metal contact through the joint and alsoprovides the cushioning action essential to elimination of transmissionnoises in a vehicle propeller shaft assembly.

Another object'of the present invention is to .40 correct effectivelyangular velocity variations where a pair of joints are not operatingthrough the same angle. This resilient connection also cushions theshock loads transmitted, not only through the transmission, but also tothe rear -451 axle gears.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be moreapparent from the followlng detailed description whichtaken in conjunc=tion with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled inthe art the particular construction and operation of a preferred form ofthe presentinvention. f l In the drawings: 55 Figure-l is a sectionalview, with portions (c1. lofi-11) shown in elevation, of one form of thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure1;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing a modified form ofthe invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 3; and vEigure 5 is a view partly in section of a still further modification,

Referring now in detail to the drawings,l and considering first theembodiment of the invention shown in Figures l and 2, we have provided ayoke arm 5 which is connected to a driving member, such as the drivenshaft of a transmission or the like, and which has the opposite armportions thereof rotatably mounted in a cross member 6 disposed in aplane extending normal to the driving yoke 5 and to the driven yoke l.The cross arm 6 is provided with stud portions 8 which are adapted toreceive the needle bearing assemblies comprising the needle bearingmembers 9 and the bearing retaining cup IU. The open end of the cup I0is adapted to receive a cap member I2 within which is mounted a suitablelubricant seal I3 spaced'from the bearings by means of the washer I4.'I'he outer end of the cap I2 has a radially inturned flange which seatsupon the annular shoulder I5 formed on the 'stud portion 8 of the crossmember.

The bearing assembly is retained in position by means'of a snap ring I6engaging in a suitable recess formed in thearms of the yoke 1, therebypreventing outward movement of the bearing assembly within the recess orjournal opening I1. The cross member 6 is of course provided withnormally extending studs which are mounted in the recess I8 of theyokearms 5 in the same manner as described in connection with the bearingmounting of the studs 8 in the yoke 1., This, therefore, provides ananti-friction mounting of the twoyokeswith respect to the cross memberand insures transmission of the driving torque, from the yoke 5 totheyoke l through the cross member.

The yoke 1 is provided with an axially extending sleeve portion 2Bwhich, at its opposite end, is provided with a thi eaded portionreceiving the end cap 22. This cap is provided with an inturned flange23 for locking the packing washer 24 in position therein, the washerbeing compressed between the discs or washers 25 and 26. The washer 26at the same time forms a closurey for the end of the sleeve portion ZI)of the yoke, and extends radially inwardly to close the annular grooveformed between the sleeve and an internal sleeve 21 which has itsinternal periphery splined as indicated at 28 to receive the splined end29 of the driven shaft member 38. It will be apparent that the member 30has longitudinal sliding movement within the sleeve 21, but ismaintained in fixed non-rotative position therein by reason of theengagement of the splines 28 and 29. The sleeves 20 and 21 are coaxialin extent and form therebetween an annular recess closed at one end bythe washers 26. In the assembly of the construction thus far describedthe sleeve member 21 is first positioned within the yoke 1 with thepacking 24 and end cap 22 in position, but Without the yoke beingassembled to the cross member 6. The member 1 is then set up on end, andrubber or other resilient cushioning material is poured into theannularrecess and substantially lls the same to form the rubber cushioningsleeve 32. This sleeve is molded in place and vulcanized to the internalsurface of the sleeve 20 and the external surface of the sleeve 21thereby rigidly securing the same to the surfaces whereby torque can betransmitted upon rotation of the sleeve 28 to the sleeve 21, andconsequently to the driven member 30. If desired, in order to securegreater keying action, we may provide suitable notches or recesses 33 inthe outer periphery of the sleeve 21 into which the rubber may flow forkeying engagernent, or similar grooves in the inner periphery of sleeve20, but we find that the vulcanizing of the sleeve 32 to the surfacesmentioned above results in a suicient bond so that it is not essentialto provide the keying engagement shown in Figure 2. Of course, we mayforce the rubber between the sleeves under compression, with grooves orkeyways for preventing slip, in place of vulcanizing the rubber intoposition.

With this construction it will be apparent that any rattling orvibration of the gears connected to the yoke 5 will be cushioned by thesleeve 32 which forms a non-metallic connection between the yoke 1 andthe driven member 30. This insures elimination of transmission noises,and provides a resilient cushioned drive through the universalconnection while yet insuring positive transmission of driving torque.It also eliminates tire and axles noises nding their Way into theforward mechanism. In front wheel drive automobiles and tractors asubstantial cushioning action is provided between the source of powerand the wheel.

Preferably, the splined surfaces 28 and 28 are lubricated in anysuitable manner and escape of lubricant from thesesurfaces is preventedby the packing 24 and by a closure cap 34 which embraces the inner endof the sleeve 21 and may be secured thereto in any desired manner, andwhich is provided with breatheropening 35 to prevent possible vacuumeffects within the interior of sleeve 21 upon outward movement of theelement 30 with respect to the sleeve, and to prevent lubricant pumping.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 a slightly diierentmodification of the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2 is provided.

Yoke 36 is connected to a cross arm 31 by means of anti-friction needlebearings substantially in the same manner as described in Figures 1 and2, but is shown more in detail in the sectional view of the connectionbetween the cross member 31 and the yoke 38 in Figure' 3. It will benoted that the cross member 31 is provided with stud portions 39 ofreduced diameter having the radially extending shoulder portions 40which form seats for limiting the inward movement of the bearingassemblies comprising the roller bearing members 42 and the invertedbearing cup 43. Suitable sealing means is provided between the end ofthe bearing cup 43 and the shoulders 40, and is compressed in positionagainst a thrust washer 44 abutting against the shoulder 40. The bearingcap or retaining member 43 is held in fixed position in the arm of theyoke 38 by means of the snap ring 46 engaging in the groove in therecess 41 to prevent outward movement of the bearing assembly. Inwardmovement of this assembly is limited by the shoulder 4U.

Rigidly secured to the hub portion of the yoke 38 is an axiallyextending sleeve member 50 having a threaded portion 52 at its outer endadapted to receive the closure cap 53 which has an inturned end flangefor retaining the packing 54 in position. Suitable washers 55 and 56 atopposite sides of the packing serve to axially compress the same intosealing engagement with the external periphery of the tubular member 51which forms the driven element of the assembly. The internal surface ofthe sleeve 50 is provided with splines 58 which are adapted to engagesuitable external splines 59 formed on a sleeve member 6l] which hasrelative axial sliding movement within the sleeve 50. Vulcanized betweenthe internal surface of the sleeve 88 and the external surface of 'themember 51 is a resilient sleeve 62 formed of rubber or the like, whichhas sealing washers 63 and 64 at opposite ends thereof for preventinglubricant which is provided for the splined surfaces 58 and 59 fromcoming into contact with the resilient sleeve 62 and possibly affectingthe life thereof. A suitable concave disc member 65 is snapped into thecentral portion of the yoke 38 to form a lubricant closure therefor, andis provided with the breather opening 66 for the same purpose as theopening 35 in the closure member 34 of Figure 1. A second lubricantclosure member 61 is secured within the interior oi the driven member51` and is also provided with a breather opening 68 to preventvariations of pressure caused by relative movement of the member .51with respect to the sleeve 50. The packing 54 prevents any loss` oflubricant externally of the member 51 and thus provides a leak-proofjoint.

This construction therefore also provides for a resilient cushioneddrive through the universal joint assembly, and also eliminates anytransmission of noise from the transmission to the other parts of thedrive transmitting mechanism by reason of the non-metallic joint betweenthe sleeve 68 and the driven element 51. 'I'he rubber sleeve orcushioning element being vulcanized to the two surfaces to which torqueis to be transmitted is placed in shear stress only, and consequentlyits life is retained for a long period of time by reason of its beingsubjected only to such shearing stresses. It will be noted that in bothof the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3 any possible longitudinal stressplaced on the sleeve members due to relative movement of the drivenelement with respect to the joint will also pro- "duce a. shearingstress in the rubber sleeve so that at no time is the rubber under anytensile or compressive stresses.

Considering the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figure 5, across member 18 is provided which is somewhat similar to' the cross nmember 31 of Figure 3, having the reduced stud portions 12 provided withthe radial extending shoulder portion 13. The two yokes14 and 15 arecoupledto the studs of the cross member in the same manner, andconsequently a description of the mounting of the yoke 15 on the stud'l2 is believed sufllcient.

In this embodiment of the invention a needle bearing assembly comprisingthe needle rollers 16 and the retaining cup 11 are inserted over thestud I2 and are prevented from radial inward movement toward the centerof the member l0 by means of the sealing means 'I8 bearing against thewasher 19 seated on the radial shoulders 13. vulcanized to the outersurface of the bearing cup or retainer 11 is a rubber sleeve or cylinder80 which has its outer peripheral surface vulcanized to the internalsurface of a thin metal sleeve '82 of a diameter such that it hassliding movement within the journal openings of the yoke arms 83 and 34.Each of these arms is provided with a tapped opening vadapted to receivethe studs 85 for clamping a retaining clip 31 to the outer portions ofthe arms, the clip 81 having a portion engaging the boss 83 on theretainer 'l1 to limit outward movement of the retainer, and having aninturned lip portion B9 engaging a suitable boss 9|] on the arms forpreventing ro,- tation of the clip t1 about the stud t6.y The stud`portions 12 of the cross member are provided with axial recesses 92which communicated with the ducts 33 extending through th: radial armsof the cross member. to the center of the cross member may flow throughthe ducts 93 and recesses 32 into the bearing assemblies, and isprevented from leakage therefrom by the sealing means 18 compressedagainst the surface of the stud 12 by the bearing retaining cup Tl. Itwill be noted that relative angular movement of the yokes lll and 15 isaccommodated by the needle bearings "it, but that no metal-to-metalcontact between the two yoke members or between either yoke member andthe cross member is possible due to the insulating and cushioning effectof the sleeves lll). These sleeves are in compressive stress, bothlongitudinally and circumferentially during operation of the joint, andprovide an effective cushioning and resilient drive connection betweenthe driving and driven elements of the-joint.

It will therefore be apparent that in all embodiments of the inventionwe have provided a construction in which there is no possible metalliccontact through the joint, while at the same time, a resilientcushioning effect is produced which prevents transmission of vibrationsor noises through the joints and also serves to cushion the drivingelements connected to the driving member of thejoint, such as gears in atransmission or the like from vibration and rattling.

We are aware that various changes in details of construction may be madewithout departing from the underlying principles exemplified in theillustrated embodiments of the invention, and we -therefore do notintend to be limited except as defined by the scope and spirit of the`appended claims.

We claim: 1. A universal connection between a coupling yoke and a shaft,comprising a sleeve portion extending outwardly from said yoke, aninternally splined sleeve therein having grooves in the external surfacethereof, a shaft having a splined end non-rotatably engaged in saidsleeve, resilient cushioning means bonded between said sleeve Thus,iubricant admitted portion and said sleeve and keyed in said grooves,and means carried by the outer end of said yoke sleeve portion limitingoutward axial movement of said sleeve and including means sealing aboutthe lateral surface of said shaft.

f2. The combination, with one yoke of a universal joint, of a sleeveportion extending outwardly from said yoke and having internal splines,a shaft extending into said 'sleeve portion, an annular sleeve of rubbervulcanized to the lateral surface of said shaft, a second sleeve havingexternal splines engaging said internal splines and embracing saidrubber sleeve, said rubber sleeve being vulcanized thereto, and sealingmeans carried at the outer end of said sleeve portion engaging about thelateral surface of said shaft.

3. The combination, with one yoke of a universal joint, of a sleeveextending therefrom, an internal sleeve spaced within said -yoke sleeve,an annular sleeve of rubber bonded between said sleeves and forming aresilient torque transmitting connection therebetween, internal splineson said internal sleeve, a splined shaft extending th'ereinto, sealingmeans at the end of said yoke sleeve embracing the external surface ofsaid shaft and serving as an abutment limiting outward axial movement ofsaid internal sleeve, and a closure cap secured over the inner end ofsaid internal sleeve whereby lubricant may be retained between thespline surfaces.

4. The combination, with a universal joint yoke having a sleeveextending therefrom provided with internal splines, of a shaft, anintermediate externally splined sleeve of a diameter larger than theshaft diameter, rubber vulcanized between said shaft and saidintermediate sleeve forming aA resilient torque transmitting connectiontherebetween, and means at opposite ends of said rubber sleeve sealingthe sameagainst contact with lubricant.

5. The combination, with a yoke having an extending cylindrical sleeveprovided with internal splines, of a shaft, an intermediate sleeveradially spaced from said shaft, resilient torque transmitting meansbetween said shaft and said intermediate sleeve, external splines onsaid intermediate sleeve engaging the splines on said yoke sleeve, andmeans secured to opposite ends of said yoke sleeve for preventing escapeof lubricant therein.

6. The combination, with a yoke member having an extending cylindricalsleeve, of a shaft member extending thereinto and radially spacedtherefrom, an intermediate sleeve member between said other two members,a rubber sleeve vulcanized between said intermediate sleeve member andone of said other members, splined driving connection between saidintermediate sleeve member and the other of said members, and sealingmeans at opposite ends of said rubber sleeve preventing lubricant fromcontacting therewith.

7. In combination, a hollow tubular driving member,` a co-axial Ahollowtubular driven member of different diameter, an intermediate coaxialsleeve member, splined driving connection between said sleeve member andone of said tubular members, a rubber sleeve bonded between the othertubular member and said sleeve member, sealing means between saidtubular members independently of said sleeve member, and sealing meansenclosing the end surfaces of said rubber sleeve.

8. In combination, a hollow tubular driving fill member, a coaxialhollow tubular driven member of diil'erent diameter, an intermediatecoaxial sleeve member, splined driving connection between said sleevemember and one of said tubular members, a rubber sleeve bonded ybetweenthe other tubular member and said sleeve member, sealing means betweensaid tubular members independently of said sleeve member, and

'sealing means at opposite ends of said intermediate sleeve memberprotecting said rubber sleeve against contact with lubricant.

9.*In combination, a cylindrical outer sleeve.

.a fitting at one end thereof having a counterbore radially inwardly ofthe sleeve, a sealing plate closing said bore, said sleeve beinginternally splined, an intermediate sleeve having external splinesengaging in said cylindrical sleeve and axially shittable therein, aninner sleeve radially spaced from said intermediate sleeve, a rubbersleeve bonded between said intermediate sleeve and said inner sleeve,and sealing means on said outer sleeve.engaging the lateral surface ofsaid inner sleeve and forming an abutment limiting sliding movement ofsaid intermediate 10 sleeve.

HAROLD FRAUENTHAL. STANLEY4 R. THOMAS.

